Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

Energy Department Announces $58 Million To Advance Fuel-Efficient Vehicle Technologies

Submitted by Chris Clark on January 22, 2016

Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz

DOE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz announced more than $58 million in funding for vehicle technology advancements and released a report highlighting the successes of DOE’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program while touring the newest vehicle technologies Thursday at the Washington Auto Show.

Continuing the Obama Administration’s commitment to supporting the domestic automobile industry, Moniz announced a $55 million funding opportunity that will solicit

DPNM: Governor Sends 26 Wrong Messages To New Mexicans

Submitted by Chris Clark on January 22, 2016

DPNM News:

“Despite more than a half dozen bills on ethics and campaign reform having been filed already in this legislative session, the 26 executive messages that Gov. Susana Martinez issued on Wednesday involved only the governor’s pet issues and did nothing to indicate consideration of bills that would directly address the egregious ethical lapses in her administration,” said Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairwoman Debra Haaland.

“It is clear that ethics in state government is not a priority for Martinez,” Haaland said. “Instead of getting

Senate Boss Sanchez: ‘NM Has Toughest DWI Laws In The Country’ … Say what?!

Submitted by Chris Clark on January 22, 2016

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― Sen. Michael Sanchez had a lot to get off his chest during Wednesday’s rambling tirade at a press conference.

He ranted against the media and complained about seating in the House Gallery. But what’s the most stunning statement he uttered? That New Mexico has the toughest DWI laws in the country. Say what?!

“We do have some of the toughest laws in the country,” Sanchez said.

Actually, the facts show that Sanchez is wrong. According to Wallet Hub (link), New Mexico ranks 33rd in the nation for overall strictness

Heinrich Applauds Cosmic Campgrounds International Dark Sky Sanctuary Designation

Submitted by Chris Clark on January 22, 2016

SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., applauded western New Mexico’s Cosmic Campground on being designated International Dark Sky Sanctuary.

The Cosmic Campground is the first International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) location on U.S Forest Service land and the first dark sky sanctuary designated in the United States.

“The Cosmic Campground in Catron County brings visitors from around the United States and the world to enjoy New Mexico’s unmatched wild places,” Heinrich said. “Outdoor

Renewing Our Existing Neighborhoods; Supporting Public Employees

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 21, 2016

By Susan O’Leary, Vice Chair
Los Alamos County Council

In the coming weeks, the Los Alamos County Council will be considering both Capital Improvement spending and Economic Development spending.

There’s typically some interplay between these two programs. In the past, the County has devoted considerable resources to developing new housing subdivisions as a way to improve our housing stock and attract more residents. While those efforts have been and can continue to be beneficial, the focus on new neighborhoods hasn’t done much to promote the renewal of our existing neighborhoods; many Read More

Rep. Garcia Richard Aims To Tackle REAL ID & Economic Development

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 21, 2016

House Minority Floor Leader Brian Egolf and Dist. 43 Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard at Tuesday’s opening of the 2016 30-day session. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

STATE News:

SANTA FE – Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, D-Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, has announced five important pieces of legislation she pre-filed for the 2016 legislative session.

Garcia Richard bills include:

Expanding access to economic development projects;
Fixing New Mexico’s REAL ID problem;
Refining county employee salary structure;
Increasing educational opportunities for veterans

Dr. Siegfried S. Hecker: ‘Doomed To Cooperate’ Jan. 23

Submitted by Chris Clark on January 21, 2016

Dr. Siegfried S. Hecker, Stanford University

COMMUNITY News:

Dr. Siegfried S. Hecker will present a Los Alamos public lecture about how American and Russian Nuclear scientists joined forces to mitigate some of the greatest post-Cold War Dangers.

The free lecture is 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1967 18th St.

Dr. Siegfried S. Hecker will discuss how nuclear risks changed dramatically when the Soviet Union collapsed at the end of 1991. Suddenly the world was threatened more by Russia’s weakness

New Mexico Representatives Introduce Early Childhood Education Constitutional Amendment

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 21, 2016

STATE News:

We need to invest in New Mexico’s future now; we need to invest in our kids

ALBUQUERQUE – Rep. Javier Martinez, D-Albuquerque and Rep. Antonio “Moe” Maestas, D-Albuquerque have introduced House Joint Resolution 10, the Early Childhood Education Constitutional Amendment.

If passed, this constitutional amendment will give New Mexicans the opportunity to decide whether our state should invest in early education and kindergarten through 12^th grade.

“We have one of the largest and fastest growing educational funds in the country,” Maestas said. “A 1 percent Read More

SCMC Invites Businesses To Information Meeting

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 21, 2016

Jewell Announces Obama Administration’s Largest Land Into Trust Acquisition For Tribal Nations

Submitted by Chris Clark on January 21, 2016

Secretary Sally Jewell

BIA News:

ISLETA PUEBLO ― As part of President Obama’s goal of placing half a million acres of tribal homelands into trust for the benefit of tribal nations, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced that the Bureau of Indian Affairs has placed 89,978 acres of land into trust status for the Pueblo of Isleta.

The Administration’s single largest trust acquisition to date brings to nearly 400,000 the total acreage placed in trust on behalf of federally recognized tribes since 2009.

Jewell made the historic announcement at a

Heinrich: Nominees To U.S. Service Academies

Submitted by Chris Clark on January 21, 2016

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., announced Tuesday his nominees to the United States Service Academies including Seung Heon Kim of Los Alamos High School.

A nomination is required to attend the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy – the Coast Guard Academy does not require a nomination. Being nominated is a significant honor. The application process is rigorous, and only the most qualified and meritorious candidates

Governor Delivers State Of The State Address

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 21, 2016

Gov. Susana Martinez delivers annual State of the State Address Tuesday from the House Chamber in Santa Fe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas with Dist. 43 Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard at Tuesday’s opening of the 30-day session at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

From left, Los Alamos County Council Vice Chair Susan O’Leary, New Mexico Democratic Party Chair Debra Haaland and Minority Floor Leader Brian Egolf at Tuesday’s opening of the 30-day Legislative Session at the State Capitol

AFTNM On Governor’s State Of State Address

Submitted by Chris Clark on January 21, 2016

AFTNM President Stephanie Ly

AFTNM News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Stephanie Ly released the following statement:

“For the sixth year, New Mexico educators heard the same policy proposals, and like the past six years, the Governor has only provided proposals that would lessen the quality of public education in New Mexico.

“According to our Governor, anyone who opposes her reforms are ‘status quo’ champions of ‘mediocrity,’ but thousands of hard working New Mexico educators do consider ourselves champions

James Pre-files Legislation To Allow Adjunct Teachers

Submitted by Chris Clark on January 20, 2016

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― Thursday Jan. 14, Rep. Conrad James pre-filed legislation, HB 145, which would allow professionals with at least a bachelor’s degree to teach part-time in New Mexico without having to go back to school and receive their teaching degree.

The proposal would make it easier for knowledgeable industry professionals to teach and invest in New Mexico students. It would also help with recruitment of qualified instructors for seventh through twelfth grades.

“This bill would help us recruit more teachers who are qualified and already have the

New Mexico Delegation Presses For Disaster Assistance For Farmers, Ranchers Following December Storms

Submitted by Chris Clark on January 20, 2016

SENATE News:

WASHINGTON ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representatives Steve Pearce, Ben Ray Luján and Michelle Lujan Grisham asked U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to quickly approve the State of New Mexico’s request for disaster assistance following December’s catastrophic winter storm.

The storm hurt farmers and ranchers across 18 New Mexico counties, and a secretarial disaster designation would allow them to access Farm Service Agency emergency loans. These loans can be used for

DOE Announces $18 Million To Develop Solar Energy Storage Solutions, Boost Grid Resiliency

Submitted by Chris Clark on January 20, 2016

DOE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― As part of the Energy Department’s Grid Modernization Initiative announced by Secretary Ernest Moniz last week to improve the resiliency, reliability and security of the nation’s electrical power grid, DOE today announced $18 million in funding for six new projects across the United States.

These projects will enable the development and demonstration of integrated, scalable, and cost-effective solar technologies that incorporate energy storage to power American homes after the sun sets or when clouds are overhead.

Poll: Supermajority Supports Ethics And Campaign Finance Reforms In Wake Of Corruption Scandals

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 19, 2016

Image/CCNM

CCNM News:

A poll of registered voters statewide taken by Research and Polling for Common Cause New Mexico Dec. 28, 2015 to Jan. 6, 2016 shows voters are overwhelmingly supportive of ethics and campaign reform measures, some of which aresubjects of the 2016 legislative session – the last legislative session before this year’s election.

Approximately 450 randomly selected voters – both Republicans and Democrats – responded to telephone survey, which has a 4.6 percent margin of error.

“The results of our polling show that the already huge level of public support for reform continues Read More

Lecture On Angela Merkel At Albuquerque International Association Sunday, Jan. 24

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 19, 2016

Angela Merkel

AIA News:

Albuquerque International Association presents its first lecture of 2016: From Cold War to Hot Peace? Angela Merkel, Vladimir Putin and the ‘Triangulation’ of German Foreign Policy, by Dr. Joyce Mushaben, University of Missouri-St. Louis.

The lecture is 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24 at the UNM Continuing Education Conference Center, 1634 University Blvd. NE in Albuquerque.

As Germany’s first female, Eastern Chancellor, Angela Merkel took to the international stage like a moth to a flame. She quickly emerged as an effective mediator among Read More

Secretary Jewell Launches Comprehensive Review Of Federal Coal Program

Submitted by Chris Clark on January 18, 2016

Secretary Sally Jewell

INTERIOR DEPARTMENT News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Secretary Sally Jewell announced Friday, that the Interior Department will launch a comprehensive review to identify and evaluate potential reforms to the federal coal program in order to ensure that it is properly structured to provide a fair return to taxpayers and reflect its impacts on the environment, while continuing to help meet our energy needs.

This is another step along the path that President Obama announced in Tuesday’s State of the Union address to improve

Rep. Nate Gentry Pre-Files Funding Request For Comprehensive Criminal Database

Submitted by Chris Clark on January 18, 2016

Rep. Nate Gentry

NMLEGIS News:

SANTA FE ― Rep. Nate Gentry pre-filed an appropriations request to develop a real-time centralized database to allow judge’s and courts get a full picture of a defendant’s past criminal history.

Gentry’s request, HB 153, would provide $700,000 to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) for supplemental personnel and infrastructure to allow DPS to quickly respond to court requests for comprehensive background reports.

Currently, courts often must consult up to six different criminal databases to discover

LOS ALAMOS

ladailypost.com website support locally by OviNuppi Systems